Holidays are coming up, and you will want to ensure that your home is prepared to host the guests that are going to be coming in. Even if you aren't hosting guests, you are still probably trying to get some early Christmas shopping done. So, what do you do in the event that your furnace decides to give you trouble in the midst of all of this?
Keep reading to learn some things that you can do on your own to troubleshoot the problem and remedy the situation yourself. Just keep in mind that there may be some issues that are beyond your own repair and will require that you contact a professional for furnace repairs.
Relight the Pilot Light
If the pilot light on your furnace ends up going on, the gas will be unable to feed into the system's burner, although everything else in the furnace is working properly. The good news is that this is a pretty easy fix, even if you aren't much of a handyman. All you need to do is switch the gas valve off and then wait a few minutes. Next, you will want to turn the gas valve to the pilot setting. Get yourself a lighted match or lighter and hold it to the pilot opening as you push the reset button that is locate don the pilot control panel. This button needs to remain pressed until you see that the pilot flame is burning, at which time you can switch the valve to the on position.
Clean the Pilot Light
If your pilot light will not stay lit or will not light at all, then there is a chance that it is clogged with dust, dirt, and/or debris and needs to be thoroughly cleaned. First, turn the gas valve off. Wait several minutes, which will allow the gas fumes to fully dissipate, and then you can clean around the gas release hole with a small wire brush. You can also use a compressed air can to get rid of any dust, dirt, and debris.
Replace the Thermocouple
This a safety device that is designed to immediately shut the gas off in the event that the pilot light goes out or if the ignitor fails. If you do not achieve success with relighting the pilot light or cleaning it, then there is a chance that the thermocouple could be defective. Replacing it is a relatively easy process. First, you will remove the copper lead to disconnect it. You will need to unscrew the gas line connection nut as well as the bracket nut that holes the thermocouple tube in its place. Next, simply remove the thermocouple and place the new one in the bracket hole. Make sure that the steel tube is facing upward and the copper tube is facing downward. Finally, connect the copper lead to the gas line and ensure that all connections are tightened securely.
If you find that you are still having trouble with your furnace after following the steps above, you will need to contact a furnace repair company in your area for assistance.
